Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes—November 15, 2012 Call to order and Open Public Meetings Statement at 7:30pm. PRESENT: Missy Durham, Jim Greene, Susan Niculescu, Roy Redmond, Stephan Stocker, Betsy Uhlman, Claire Whitcomb. ABSENT: Jeff Gertler, Jeff Sarrett, Don Links (Council Liaison). Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of September 25, 2012 were approved. Guests: None. Mail received: 1. Whippany River Watershed Action Committee Flyer. R. Redmond asked if it could be emailed in lieu of mail? B. Uhlman noted that it was part of the membership benefits and that we pay to be members. Discussion: 1. MRC runoff water testing completed: Betsy Uhlman reported that the water testing has been done. R. Redmond interpreted the results that were projected on the screen. The only toxic material found was zinc and that was at a safe level. There was discussion regarding posting the information. Posting would satisfy public concerns and allay any remaining fears. This test can act as the “base line test” for future tests. Should they be annual or every two or three years? 2. MRC storm water management: Sandy Kolakowski and Steve Stocker have been working on rectifying the rain garden. S. Stocker reported that he has set up a line of rocks to reduce the speed of the water flow so that it does not was away the mulch. He also reported that the rain gardens are working better and that there is no longer any standing water. However, the rain garden closest to Ridgedale is not getting enough water. 3. Green Forum: B. Uhlman reported that the Green Forum has been scheduled for January 24th (not November 29th) from 7 to 9 pm. It will be at Drew University. Residents, the Mayor, Council, key Borough employees and students are all invited. It is organized by MEC, Sustainable Madison, Open Space, and the Shade Tree Commission. There will be introductory remarks about sustainability, followed by splitting the group into three smaller groups who will each discuss one of three topics: a. Greening the Home b. Getting around Madison 1  c. Natural Landscape Participants will be asked to do visioning—what would everyone like to see? What are our strengths and weaknesses? How do we go from where we are today to where we would like to be? C. Whitcomb suggested that there should be an article in the press to publicize the event before it happens. The article could be a “call to action”—discussing some of the activities undertaken by Sustainable Madison, etc. M. Durham volunteered to write an article for publication in “The Eagle” prior to January 24th. 4. Sustainable Landscaping Seminar: B. Uhlman reported that the seminar is scheduled for March 2nd and that the Chase Room is reserved at the Library. The Recreation Committee is supportive. 5. Sustainable Madison Developments: B. Uhlman reported that: a. Complete Streets is done, with some help from B. Vogel. b. Municipal Solar is no longer being pursued. Morris County determined that all the proposed sites were not appropriate due to shading and other issues. J. Burnett has the report. c. Food Composting in Schools: B. Wolkowitz is pursuing this, using a heated composter. d. “Project Aware” HS green team: Carol Rawding, a teacher at Madison High School is the coordinator of this effort. e. Chatham High School: They had a regional High School meeting hosted by the Sierra Club. Should the Sierra club be invited to the Green Forum or to talk to MEC on another occasion? f. Monitoring the lighting at the High School: Dr Rossi wand to engage HS students in monitoring the use of lighting at the HS. S. Stocker reported that they are trying to change behavior patterns through greater awareness of the energy wasted in lighting spaces that are not occupied. The students are to bring it to the attention of the Janitor if lights are left on. S. Stocker did an energy survey of the schools and set up a plan to change the light fixtures to energy saving fixtures. The plan was given to Dr. Rossi for implementation. However, S. Stocker is not aware of what is being done or when. g. Solar on Schools: S. Stocker commented that solar panels should be put on the schools— other schools have done this successfully, sometimes on the roof, sometimes in parking lots. h. Emergency Generators for Municipal Buildings: S. Stocker reported that a study is underway as to the cost of providing emergency generators for municipal buildings. He noted that Councilman Landrigan is supportive of this initiative. i. Bio-diesel generators: S. Stocker noted that there is a “Plasma” generator available that has the capacity to dispose of all the garbage in the entire county. It is available free, however the cost of transporting it from its current location is $3 million. 2  j. Wind Generators: R. Redmond reported that there is a wind generator in Bayonne which shut down because the Hurricane Sandy wind was too strong. Wind generators are permitted on “Green Acres” space such as the MRC, however solar panels are not. k. Green Fleet: B. Uhlman reported that at the Borough Fuel Pump every borough vehicle will now be logged in as to mileage when they are refueled. The police department had records, but not the DPW or the Borough. 6. MEC Priorities: B. Uhlman noted that R. Redmond and J. Greene are leaving—this is their last meeting—and asked them, as respected senior members of the commission, for some of their thoughts (and those of the rest of the commission members) on what are the priorities that we should all be addressing. a. R. Redmond: Sustainable Madison seems to be addressing the issues that need to be addressed. b. J. Greene: The MEC needs a liaison to the Council who is interested and supportive in what we do. c. C. Whitcomb: Can we quantify the savings for recycling? Perhaps J. Burnet has that information? d. S. Stocker: Find out if some trees are more resistant to wind than others. The white pines in the bottom of the community garden are still standing. e. J. Greene: What is involved in putting the electric wires underground to protect them from damage of falling trees? Most cities have the wires buried. R. Redmond noted that he did this at his house. f. B. Uhlman: Keep leaves out of the gutter/street. In the way that it is done today, it violates state stormwater regulations—it clogs the storm water system. It also incurs greater collection cost and street hazards. Why is it allowed, why is it the policy, in Madison? We shared some cake provided by B. Uhlman to celebrate the long service of R. Redmond and J. Greene. 7. Meeting adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. 3