Local newspapers

The following are letters and news recently published in our local newspapers, including some practical environmental tips. Complete versions are available on-line by clicking the title/link:

Letter to the editor: Help Protect Verona’s trees
By Verona resident Lydia Bashwiner

Regarding Verona’s street trees, residents are the first line of defense against damage by construction and overhead wire work. Here are four steps that you can take: Know the rules. Verona’s ordinance prohibits any action regarding such trees without the permission of the Shade Tree Commission. Contractors are expressly prohibited from damaging any part of a tree with their equipment. Residents can report improper pruning by utility companies. State law imposes fines up to $1,500 for violations...

Laning Avenue School in Verona gets greener with help from Whole Foods

Laning SCA members Michelle Posner, Jackie Yarmo, Whole Foods employees Susan Cozza and Gerry Giannetti, and Laning SCA member Virginia Citrano planted a variety of flowers around the PIP entrance of Laning Avenue School on July 1.

Shimonaski: Cut water bills
The writer is chairman of the Verona Environmental Commission.

Want to water your lawn and garden this summer without running up a big water bill? Think about using a rain barrel.
When you connect a rain barrel to your downspout, you can capture all the rain that falls on your house and save it to water the yard later. One big storm can put 100 gallons of water in your barrel!

Flemington ordinance protects 'historic' trees
By Veronica Slaght

To preserve Flemington's "historic" trees, the council adopted a tree preservation ordinance last week. The borough's big trees will get municipal protection after they are put on a list by the Shade Tree Commission.