quarterly-news-from-the-somerville-ec

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Quarterly News from the

Environmental Commission

Dear Somerville Community,

There's a lot happening this quarter, so I'll keep this short and let the sections below do the talking. In this issue, you'll find:

Mark your calendar for National Night Out, a community energy talk, and our first fall volunteer days
A big win for Somerville's energy future, as Council adopts the Community Energy Plan, plus a free program that can start saving you money and energy right now
A street trees update, including a new paving solution that's already making a difference
News from our Green Team, with a thriving community garden, a newly opened Fairy Trail, and continued work at Peters Brook

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to read through and for everything you do to keep Somerville green!

Best,

Timarie Diehl

Commission Chair

Educate

Upcoming Educational & Environmental Events

National Night Out - Aug. 4

Mark your calendars! The Somerville Environmental Commission will be out and about for National Night Out.

Stop by our table to meet the Commission, learn about upcoming programs, and pick up tips for a greener home.

Details:

Tuesday, August 4 from 6:00-8:00 pm

at Carol Pager Park.

Fight Rising Energy Bills - Sept. 9

Energy costs on your mind? Join us for a community talk presented by David Dvorin, member of our Green Team and the Somerset County Energy Council. David will share practical, low-cost ways to reduce energy use at home and give residents an update on the new Community Solar project recently approved for Somerville. Don't miss this chance to learn how to start saving on your energy bill while supporting the Borough's clean energy future.

Details:

Tuesday, September 9 6:30 pm

at the Somerville Public Library.

250th Anniversary Celebration

In celebration of our nation's 250th birthday, the Somerville Environmental Commission is planning to plant 250 tree seedlings along the brook! Stay tuned for more details on this exciting milestone project, including how you can get involved.

Details:

Final dates TBC soon!

Want to be part of it?

Email us!

Save the Dates! Fall Volunteer Days

We have a lot to do this fall! From finalizing the work at the Habitat Restoration, to planting 250 trees, here are some dates to mark off on the calendar. More information will follow in coming weeks!

Mark Your Calendar:

August 22

September 16

September 27

October 3

Advocate

Environmental Tips

Somerville's Energy Future

Somerville's Community Energy Plan

Big news for Somerville's clean energy future: on July 6, the Borough Council adopted the Community Energy Plan (CEP), a four-year roadmap for reducing energy-related emissions and guiding our transition to cleaner, more affordable energy through 2030.

The Plan was developed by the Environmental Commission, Borough Administration and T&M Associates Consulting, and funded through a New Jersey Board of Public Utilities grant administered by Sustainable Jersey.

Adopting the CEP is a huge step towards a more sustainable Somerville. It unlocks eligibility for many of the grants that will help fund the Plan's initiatives, from expanded EV charging and community solar on the former landfill, to green building standards and targeted outreach for low- and moderate-income households.

None of this would have been possible without resident input. Thank you to the 87 residents who took the time to complete our Community Energy Plan survey this spring! Here's some of what we heard:

Solar and green building initiatives earned the strongest support, especially rooftop solar, parking lot canopies, and renewable power for Borough buildings.
Residents were clear on where solar belongs: strong support for rooftops, parking lots, and brownfields, and strong opposition to siting solar on parks or open space.
Equity mattered to respondents, who strongly supported inclusive planning and affordable community solar access for low- and moderate-income households.
EV-related initiatives drew the most mixed reactions, with residents raising questions about parking, pavement, and cost.
Residents want more transparency on the cost and affordability of energy policies, and many flagged new concerns about data center energy use.
Stormwater and flooding, shade trees, transit, and safe biking infrastructure all came up as priorities for future planning.

You can view the full survey results by clicking here

Free Home Energy Assessments: Already Saving Somerville Money

While the CEP charts our long-term course, there's a free program already helping residents cut energy costs today. Through a partnership with PSEG and Sustainable Jersey, homeowners and renters can schedule a no-cost, no-obligation home energy assessment. A licensed technician visits your home, makes on-the-spot efficiency upgrades like LED bulbs and faucet aerators, and leaves you with a report on rebates and savings opportunities, all in about 30 to 45 minutes.

EC member Helene Venizelos tried it out and had this to say: booking was simple, the technician was on time, and she left with dozens of new light bulbs, upgraded aerators, and two power strips, all free of charge.

Ready to schedule your own assessment? Book here!

Promote

Sustainability Spotlight

Somerville's Street Trees

Downtown Street Trees

Good news downtown: six tree pits along Main Street just got a porous pavement upgrade — look for the new tan-and-brown paving near Kyma (shown below), Alfonso's, and Blue Sheep. It's a small change with real benefits. The permeable surface removes tripping hazards, opens up more usable sidewalk space, and lets rain soak straight down to tree roots, which we've seen firsthand during this summer's heavy storms. The project came together through months of collaboration between the EC, Borough Administration, Department of Public Works, and the Downtown Somerville Alliance, and we're proud of how well it's working. This program is ongoing, so keep an eye out as we work together to make Somerville more walkable and enjoyable for pedestrians, businesses and trees alike!

Residential Lottery Program

Every year, the EC partners with the Department of Public Works to plant new street trees for residents on our waitlist. This year, 20 trees went into the ground for neighbors who'd been patiently waiting their turn.

Street trees do more than look nice: they cool neighborhoods in summer, filter stormwater runoff, and boost property values. It's no surprise this program is one of our most popular, so much so that we're still working through a waitlist that began two years ago. Want your name on the list for a future planting? Sign up here.

Community Partnerships

New Pet Waste Stations Along Peters Brook

Good news for dog walkers and water quality alike: two new pet waste stations are now installed along the Peters Brook Greenway, one near the baseball field on Park Ave, and another where the sidewalk meets the greenway path on Grove Street.

Here's why it matters: pet waste left behind can wash into Peters Brook and the Raritan River, introducing pathogens that affect water quality downstream and can cause health issues. The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) monitors this issue closely, and we joined forces on a low-cost fix: making it easy to clean up after your pet, right at the source.

This project came together through a partnership with the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, with funding and support from the NJWSA in Clinton. We're also grateful to our Department of Public Works for their help with logistics, and assembling and installing both stations.

Next time you're walking the greenway, feel free to take a bag, use a bag, and know you're helping keep Peters Brook and the Raritan River healthy for everyone downstream.

Green Team In Action

Community Impact Spotlight:

Rebecca Reitman Brings the Peters Brook Greenway Fairy Trail to Life

If you've walked the Peters Brook Greenway between East Cliff and North Bridge this summer, you've likely spotted a little fairy house tucked among the trees. That magic exists because one Somerville neighbor decided it should.

The idea started on a walk with her daughter, who enjoys the indoors more than out. At a fairy trail in South Mountain Reservation, something shifted. Her daughter was captivated and completely riveted by the experience of hunting for hidden houses among the trees. Rebecca loved this pure reaction, and wanted to bring that same spark home to Somerville, and give other kids a reason to get outside and explore.

Rebecca brought the idea to the Environmental Commission and Green Team, then worked with the Recreation Department and Planning to bring it to life, timing the installation for May to catch the greenway's busiest walking season. Her leadership sparked real community spirit, inspiring neighbors, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and local organizations to join in. The excitement was infectious, and resulted in over 30 applications. In May, Rebecca led a Fairy House installation event for 27 total houses, complete with fairy wings, bubbles, and plenty of whimsy, bringing the community together to build something truly special.

Thank you, Rebecca, for reminding us all how much one simple idea can bring a community together!

Check out some fun photos below of the install day! (You may need to click "view entire message")

The Jay Scott Community Garden is thriving!

The Jay Scott Community Garden welcomed 16 gardeners for the 2026 season this May. Located near the tennis courts on Veterans Memorial Parkway, the garden is already blooming with a colorful mix of vegetables and flowers. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops open to both gardeners and the wider Somerville community.

Habitat Restoration

Ten dedicated volunteers recently gathered at the Peters Brook Habitat Restoration project to keep up the ongoing work of weeding and mulching. Their efforts have helped maintain the Stream Overlook, Shrub Allee and Shaded Grove areas as the project moves toward completion this fall, with the planting of our very own Pocket Meadow!

Thank you to everyone who has lent a hand this season. Every bit of weeding and mulching makes a difference. Keep an eye out this fall for upcoming volunteer opportunities!

The Environmental Commission's mission is to educate, advocate, and promote best policies and practices for the Borough's environment and the health and safety of its residents.

25 West End Ave. Somerville NJ, 08876

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