By Jason Arndt
Correspondent
Village of Union Grove trustees Tim Mallach and Adam Graf will team up to push forward the Village’s “green initiative,” after the Village Board voted July 8 to approve formation of an ad hoc committee to bolster Union Grove’s environmental record.
“Tim (Mallach) has been working on environmental matters through his tenure on the Village Board and has done a great job in identifying possible grants for programs to enhance our green initiatives going on in our community,” Board President Mike Aimone said.
Mallach has been working on environmental projects for the last 7 years, including his time as a Village trustee.
Grants being eyed include an increase in funding to add more trees and plant life to the Village. The committee is looking into Union Grove being designated as a “Tree City.”
“The grants we are looking at are probably state funded,” Mallach explained.
Public Works Director Mark Osmundsen said he will forward the information he has regarding Tree City designations to Mallach.
“There is grant money available as far as tree-planting projects,” Osmundsen explained.
Both members of the ad hoc committee will review the requirements and parameters needed to receive the distinction as a Tree City.
Neighboring jurisdictions within Racine County, including the Village of Waterford and City of Racine, have already received the distinction of Tree City.
In addition to researching Tree City requirements, the new committee will examine the possibility of Union Grove earning the designation of a “Bird City.”
Mallach took pride in Union Grove’s involvement in the state’s national competition regarding recycling and added his mission is for the Village to have “zero waste, all recycling.”
“There was a 50 state challenge in the recycle bank and we came in fourth in the nation,” Village trustee Tim Mallach noted.
Graf, who was elected in April, is the Board’s newest trustee and has expressed his own environmental mission and demonstrated willingness to move the Village forward.
“I was willing to be on the committee when it was presented at a meeting earlier,” Graf said. “I look forward to working with Tim on what is best for the Village.”
Graf’s attitude and actions made the appointment decision easy for the Board President.
“I know that Adam has expressed an interest in working on any initiatives or anything new that can be brought into the Village,” Aimone said.
Graf said he wants to inform the public about proper disposal of hazardous waste and maintaining the environment.
“I view recycling as important, especially hazardous waste,” Graf said, explaining: “We don’t need batteries, televisions and computers filling our landfills and causing pollution.”
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