MANCHESTER – Mayor Joseph Hankins announced during a recent council meeting that the township had been recognized by the Sustainable Jersey program during a New Jersey League of Municipalities conference.
“This is in line with being efficient with non-polluting events like our recent cleanup (coordinated by the Manchester Township Environmental Commission) that went on recently.”
The award noted that the township has officially met the rigorous requirements to achieve bronze-level certification through the Sustainable Jersey program, a prestigious recognition awarded to municipalities that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, community well-being, and long-term sustainability planning.
Certified towns were announced at the recent Sustainable Jersey Annual luncheon in Atlantic City, held during the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference.
Sustainable Jersey’s participating communities now represent nearly 83% of all municipalities in the Garden State, reflecting a robust and growing statewide movement focused on sustainability and resiliency.
“Myself and the Township Council are so proud of our township employees who work hard every day to achieve greatness. This certification reflects not only their dedication but also the commitment of our entire community to building a healthier, more sustainable Manchester for future generations,” the mayor remarked.
In 2025, 83 municipalities achieved Sustainable Jersey certification. Among them, 52 towns earned bronze certification – including Manchester – and 31 received silver certification, the program’s more advanced level. Bronze-level certification requires municipalities to document a balanced portfolio of approved sustainability actions totaling at least 150 points.
Adding in Manchester’s accomplishment, 191 towns across New Jersey are now certified through Sustainable Jersey, a program that continues to serve as a model for community-driven environmental progress.
Sustainable Jersey participants have successfully implemented and documented nearly 30,251 sustainability actions, and the program has provided more than $8.6 million in grants to municipalities, school districts, and schools for community-based projects that foster healthy and sustainable communities across the state.
“It’s inspiring to see communities of every size across New Jersey leading the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future,” Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey said during the award presentation. “These municipalities are not waiting for change – they’re creating it, through action, innovation, and collaboration.”
Solomon noted that New Jersey continues to face environmental challenges such as the climate change crisis, pollution, and a growing equity divide and that municipalities and schools were taking action to be part of the solution.
During that Township Council meeting Councilwoman Michele Zolezi, who also attended the League of Municipalities Conference announced “the township of Manchester won an award for our Tuskegee Park.”
That park was reconstructed by the township’s Department of Public Works and was reopened in October with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. “I think it is really wonderful that Manchester is being recognized. I wanted to congratulate all the Manchester personnel on a job well done,” Zolezi added.
