In accordance with the guidelines set by Sustainable Jersey, Fort Lee’s Green Team works to plan and implement programs that work towards building a healthier, more sustainable community. With all of Fort Lee’s expansive diversity, the Green Team aims to represent each demographic and expand inclusion. By doing so, the group is able to reach more people, therefore gaining more support and public input to provoke an effective change. The Green Team also helps Fort Lee gain a higher status as a sustainable town by developing plans, taking action, and providing educational opportunities so that all residents may contribute to the community's sustainability. Led by Councilwoman Ila Kasofsky, the group has successfully managed to earn the Bronze Status for the Sustainable Jersey program for the previous three cycles.
Members of the Green Team come from a variety of places and backgrounds. Members include Shelby Meyers of the Fort Lee Health Department, Bob Appelbaum, Marc Bauer, Karen Bloch, Nellie Flek, Deborah Levine and Zal Sarwary. Working together for several years now, the group has implemented many new policies and programs in town.
For example, the Fort Lee Green Team has created two community gardens (Visit the Community Page here), both of which are so popular, they have extensive waiting lists. In addition to this, it has helped to host and assist in numerous events promoting the welfare and health of our community, such as the Clima-Con event, hosted by the Youth Council of Fort Lee in April of 2018. The Green Team has also helped to popularize the shredding day, held in September and April. Adding to its list of accomplishments, the Fort Lee Green Team ensured that the safe disposal of prescription drugs is always available with the medicine drop-off box at every town event and a permanent location at the Fort Lee Police Department. Together, they also installed a dumpster at the Department of Public Works on Jane Street for the disposal of household electronics. Smoke-free and tobacco-free public places were also established by the Green Team. The team’s reach, however, does not end with these policies. The Green Team also holds dog training classes at the Fort Lee Dog Park on the first Saturday of every month at 11am.
The team hopes to continue their efforts in transforming Fort Lee into a more sustainable town and achieving Silver Status in the upcoming cycle. With your help, the Fort Lee Green Team will be able to do even more to make our town sustainable.
For more information on the efforts of Sustainable Fort Lee or the Fort Lee Green Team, please contact Councilwoman Kasofsky at i-kasofsky@fortleenj.org.
The effort to stop the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs begins at home - and must include the opportunity for local consumers to dispose of their unused medications safely and securely at any time throughout the year. The Fort Lee Police Department has a box located in the main lobby of its headquarters at 1327 16th Street, Fort Lee. The box can be accessed seven days a week, to drop off unneeded and expired medications - and keep them away from those at risk of abusing them. The drop box accepts solid pharmaceuticals such as pills, capsules, patches, inhalers and pet medications. (They cannot accept syringes or liquids.)
For more information, please contact the FLPD at 201-592-3700.
