Monday - Friday
8:30AM-4:30PM
8:30AM-4:30PM
P: (201) 670-3956
F: (201) 670-3959
1 Harding Plaza
Glen Rock
1 Harding Plaza Glen Rock
M-F: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (201) 670-3956
Environmental Commission
Glen Rock Environmental Commission Information
Meeting Dates: The GREC meets at 7:30 at the Municipal Building on the third Wednesday of each month. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Glen Rock Environmental Commission consists of seven volunteer residents and two alternates, all appointed by the Mayor.
Ben Meyer, chair
Elaine Silverstein
Michelle Tyler
David Lindley
Scott King – liaison to the Planning board
Candy Hall, Alternate
Sara Froiklin Gordon, Alternate
Amy Martin – council member liaison to GREC
The role of the GREC is to inform residents about environmental matters and ways to help protect the environment, advise governing bodies on a variety of environmental issues, help explain programs and regulations of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, investigate environmental problems and offer solutions.
The Glen Rock Environmental Commission has spearheaded several projects and campaigns in town.
Current projects include:
Glen Rock Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign is designed to help residents and businesses better manage energy use and take advantage of PSE&G’s energy efficiency programs and incentives. In combination with Federal rebates and tax incentives designed to promote energy efficiency, these programs can help residents save money and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. For more information on how Glen Rock is promoting energy efficiency, and to learn more about PSE&G’s energy efficiency programs, residents are encouraged to visit https://www.energyoutreachnj.com/glenrock/
Certification in the Sustainable Jersey program. Municipalities that achieve certification are considered by their peers, state government and experts and civic organizations in New Jersey, to be among the leaders in the state. Glen Rock received a Bronze Award in 2024.
Community Solar: Education and outreach about the benefits of community solar. Glen Rock residents who do not have property suitable for solar, who rent, lack control of their roof, or live in a multi-family building, can still benefit from the cost savings and access to clean energy through solar power. Community Solar is now available to Glen Rock residents. https://glenrocknj.net/government/news/503-community-solar-comes-to-glen-rock
Ongoing projects include:
Clean Up Glen Rock
Since 2018, GREC has coordinated the Clean Up program working with adults and youth to collect trash in key locations in town which were prioritized by need, After clearing the litter, volunteers identified the locations of trash bags for DPW Staff to pick up. Litter free communities have a positive effect on our local community, our ecosystems, our waterways and stormwater management.
GREC’s Green Businesses Certification program recognizes retail businesses that incorporate sustainable practices. By helping green our town, your business can receive
green certification, and will be included on the GR certified Green Business list. Residents and customers will thereby be made aware of the actions that your business has taken to promote both healthy living and a healthier planet.
Expansion of non-mandated recycling: GREC works with other Bergen communities to offer non-mandated recycling to include Styrofoam collection (recycle packaging Styrofoam) and implementation of TREX program to collect and recycle single use plastic bags. Provides education to residents of other opportunities for non-mandated recycling such as food waste, clothing and hazardous waste.
Sustainable Landscaping: GREC works with other organizations to offer ongoing education regarding pollinator friendly landscapes and the risks of gas-powered equipment and available substitutes. Electric leaf blowers are available to try at the Glen Rock Library of Things.
Green Development Questionnaire and Checklist: The Glen Rock Planning Board has voted to add a Green Development Questionnaire and Checklist to the items to be submitted with a Site Plan/Subdivision Application. It was developed by GREC, working with all stakeholders, and was formally adopted by a resolution of the Glen Rock Council. The Questionnaire and Checklist contains green design strategies that can be incorporated into a development. It is important at the municipal level because green design can help manage environmental obligations, reduce operating expenses, and accomplish master planning goals. For example, green design helps to reduce loadings on stormwater systems and to cut down on both construction waste and ongoing solid waste disposal associated with buildings and their occupants. Many green design programs also promote pedestrian access, community connectivity, wildlife species preservation, and high-quality green space.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the following as benefits that can result from building green: http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/whybuild.htm
Monitoring and installing of EV (electric vehicles) charging stations: GREC continues to monitor the use of the municipal electric vehicle charging stations and institute improvements where needed.
Town-wide anti-idling campaign, to remind motorist that idling is unhealthy and that idling for more than 3 minutes is illegal
Shop the Rock: a shop local and bring your own bag initiative
For a fuller description of the Glen Rock Environmental Commission accomplishments, read our Annual Report here.
TO: GLEN ROCK MAYOR AND COUNCIL
DATE: MARCH 21, 2023 RE: NABISCO DEMOLITION
The Glen Rock Environmental Commission (GREC) appreciates the substantial efforts from the Mayor and Council in providing updated information to the Glen Rock residents on the on-going plans for demolition for the Nabisco plant in the section of Fair Lawn adjacent to Glen Rock residential properties. We are providing this communication to the Mayor and Council in accordance with our mission to advise the M&C regarding environmental matters.
Given the substantial extent of the demolition project and its close proximity to our residents, while we trust that the project will be done in conformity with all state and federal regulations, we remain concerned about the potential safety and environmental impacts related to the April 15, 2023 scheduled implosion of the Nabisco plant. Particular concern is focused on the residential properties and Hamilton Elementary School located in very close proximity to the Nabisco facilities.
Due to the common use of hazardous materials (including but not limited to asbestos, lead, mercury, PCBs) in the construction of older buildings, GREC is concerned that the demolition and final implosion event may result in spreading these materials to neighboring properties. We are aware that the asbestos will be completely removed before the implosion, but, nevertheless, to reduce residents’ concerns, we recommend that the Mayor and Council request that the demolition company arrange for independent soil testing of the properties in close proximity to the demolition, and possibly at the Hamilton School playground and fields. The testing should be conducted both prior to and following the implosion (same day or day after). In addition, we recommend that continuous air monitoring be conducted prior to, during, and for some time after the implosion to ensure that particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and other harmful material is not present. In addition, dust clean-up should be offered by the contractor in case significant dust resulting from the implosion is found. Confirming the absence of hazardous materials in the ground and air will help further reassure and protect public health and the environment and give everybody peace of mind. Any soil testing and other follow-up would be subject to the approval of each individual property owner.
We also recommend that our concerns be communicated to New Jersey state representatives such as Lisa Swain, Chris Tully, Joe Lagana, and possibly other legislators. Specifically, the current distance of 200 ft for notice to residents should be increased for large-scale demolitions.
Finally, we are cognizant that the demolition at the former Nabisco site is only one step in the redevelopment process, and that the construction and operation of a new facility at that site may raise additional concerns for nearby residents and schoolchildren, and the wider Glen Rock community. We suggest that the channels of communication that have been built to share information regarding the demolition be maintained and used to provide Glen Rock’s elected officials, and the broader Glen Rock community, with information on additional plans early in that process, and to listen to any questions or concerns Glen Rock might raise.
Again, we appreciate all that the Mayor and Council have done. This is an important environmental issue, and we are grateful for the opportunity to present our recommendations to the Mayor and Council.
To download the letter please click here.
Community Garden Club
Grow your own organic vegetables and herbs at the Community Garden located on Main Street
Residents of Glen Rock are eligible for plots as they become available, to inquire about availability please email glenrockcommunitygarden@gmail.com.
GREC & Schools
Mentor MS and HS students with environmental-friendly projects: elimination of Styrofoam from MS/HS school cafeteria, revamping recycling at HS, school distric-wide healthy eating project, etc