Environmental Commission

Madison  Environmental  Commission   Meeting Minutes—December 12, 2013 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIRPERSON 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOTICE Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Betsy Uhlman, Chairperson, opened the meeting as follows: “Let the minutes reflect that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner: At the meeting of the Commission, held on January 30, 2013, the posted annual calendar of meetings of the Madison Environmental Commission was approved with minor modifications which were submitted to the Borough and posted at the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building; were sent to the Madison Eagle and the Daily Record; and filed with the Borough Clerk; all in accordance with the ‘Open Public Meetings Act.’” 3. PRESENT: Missy Durham, Jeff Gertler, Mary Lewis, Susan Niculescu, Jeff Sarrett, Betsy Uhlman, Claire Whitcomb. ABSENT: Judy Honohan, Stephan Stocker, Robert Catalanello (Council Liaison). GUESTS: None (The representative of the BOE who had been invited was not able to attend.) 4. MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of November 7th, 2013 were approved. 5. MAIL RECEIVED: a) Shade Tree Management Board, Community Forestry Plan 2012-2017. This was circulated for review by members present. b) Bob Jennings, letter on NJ Transit Property use by Samson overpass. B. Uhlman reported that Mr. Jennings is concerned about truck traffic on this residential street and the safety of school children. She noted further that, since this is not really within the purview of the Environmental Commission, she had given a copy of the letter to Mr. Ray Codey, Borough Administrator, who informed her that he was aware of the issue and working on a plan to resolve the problem. c) Sustainable New Jersey communication stating that towns may apply for two levels of grants. B. Uhlman reported that the current plan is to apply for two grants: one for the deer fence for the MRC wooded area, and the other for outreach activities such as a small festival of films on environmental issues. Madison would only be awarded one grant at the most. The other strong idea, putting recycling waste containers for the various sports fields around the Borough, is a good way to use Green Fair funds. A survey of the need is the next step. 1      6. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION: 1. MEC and BOE: Areas of possible shared effort: Energy Auditing, composter, recycling bins for school grounds, Sustainable NJ outreach for schools. 2. MRC Ad Hoc Planning committee & Grant Applications for Sustainable New Jersey: The last meeting of the MRC committee was cancelled due to snow. The plan for the wooded are at the MRC is a) keep deer out (the fence); b) remove invasive species; c) replant with native species. It may be possible to obtain some grants or funds to purchase materials but the labor will need to be by volunteers. 3. Additions to the ERI: The Conservation Easement Inventory and the Threatened and Endangered Species Map can be added in 2014. 4. Conservation Easement: a report of the inspections conducted by MEC members and Borough Officials will be submitted to the Borough for review. 7. MEETING ADJOURNED. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. 2