Point Pleasant – The Borough of Point Pleasant recently tasked the Borough’s Climate Action Committee to actively engage residents with the promotion of green awareness through educational projects – one being the Anti-Idling Project.

At the Tupresentation1esday evening Council meeting, Mayor Robert A. Sabosik and Council President Antoinette DePaola asked the committee to do a presentation on the project for the public.  Climate Action Committee Chair Laura Malta, along with members Dennis Blazak and Cheryl Olsen, as well as student volunteers Alec Malta, Joe Tomkus, Gus Crist and Katie Crist presented a report along with one of the Anti-Idling signs that have been placed on Borough Property throughout town.  Laura Malta stated that 9 Anti-Idling signs have been installed with the help of the  Environmental Commission, Department of Public Works and the Police Department.  Ms. Malta educated the audience in attendance with important facts stating that we breathe over 3,000 gallons of air every day and breathing air that is polluted can cause many harmful side effects including throat irritation, asthma and long term lung injury.  State law also statepresentation2s that no engine is permitted to idle for more than 3 consecutive minutes if the vehicle is not in motion.

Mayor Sabosik thanked the Climate Action Committee for their efforts in educating the public by participating in a number of Borough events including Community Watch programs like Trunk or Treat, National Night Out Against Crime and yearly Earth Day events.  “Protecting our environment and our health should always be a top priority” stated Council President DePaola while thanking the Committee and their student volunteers.

The students then presented a poster with an Anti-Idling sign attached that they bring to all of their public events where people sign to show their support.  The Mayor, Council Members, Chief of Police, Department of Public Works Superintendent and Fire Chief all signed the poster in support.

Another portion of the presentation involved the Borough entering into a Direct Install Energy Program where grant money will be obtained through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for energy improvements to municipal buildings in the Borough.  Energy experts performed an energy audit of Borough buildings and then recommended changes to the town to save energy and money.  Mayor Sabosik explained that the program pays for most of the cost of new equipment and for its installation.  The Borough’s share of the cost would be paid off via the monthly utility bill through a no interest loan and via energy savings on utility bills.  The new energy efficient equipment, ranging from HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) units to LED lights will result in lower energy costs to the Borough.  Dennis Blazak of the Climate Action Committee stated that the energy efficient lights have a ten-to-twenty-year life and would save more than $100,000 for the Borough.  Mayor Sabosik emphasized that the improvements themselves would have a Return-On-Investment of just over one year.  The out-opresenation4f-pocket cost of $12,000 for the Borough coupled with grant money and a yearly estimated energy savings of roughly $10,325 is a big win for Borough residents.  The energy efficient improvements will center around the Recreation Building, Department of Public Works building and Borough Hall.  “This is government and the community working together at its finest,” said Mayor Sabosik.  “Together we are helping protect the environment and saving tax dollars at the same time by partnering up for these energy efficient projects.”