Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting minutes-January 28, 2016 Call to order and reading of Open Public Meetings Statement at 7:41 “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 28, 2016, 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.’” PRESENT: Chairman Stephan Stocker, Claire Whitcomb, Mary Lewis, Judy Honohan, Jeff Gertler, Council Liaison Pat Rowe ABSENT: Missy Durham, Jeff Sarrett (resigned) GUESTS: None MINUTES: Minutes of the November 19,2015 meeting were approved. Lewis/Whitcomb MAIL RECEIVED: None 2016 MEETING DATES: 2/25, 3/24, 4/28, 5/26, 6/23, 7/28, 8/25, 9/22, 10/27, 11/17, 12/15 2015 YEAR END REVIEW: After brief discussion to recall 2015 activities, Claire Whitcomb offered to write a summary report. The successful fall harvest at CAS garden included cauliflower, cabbage. A new scent garden has been planted. 2016 GOALS AND PROJECTS: MEC provided timely input re 106-112 Shunpike development. Plans for subdivision of 140 Central Ave. were incomplete and will be returned to Francis Boardman with request for resubmission or complete plans (including: environmental impact statement, storm water management, tree removal, impervious coverage, contour map.) Website fonts are not all readable after printing. Font changes may be required. Steve sent all members climate change articles for our information.  Energy Audit: Pat Rowe will reintroduce the idea to Council. When on the agenda Claire Whitcomb and a representative from Ciel will attend the meeting to provide any additional information. MEC will collect used shoes at the Y during April. We will arrange with the schools (Claire, High School, Judy, CAS) to provide boxes ready to be filled and sent to Shoebox.com. Payment still $.50/pound. Cash from 2015 not yet distributed to schools or Project Aware. Steve will look into this. Bottle Hill Day we will have a booth. May include milkweed seed bombs. Earth Day (April 22): on Saturday, April 16, 2016 Madison Public Library will celebrate with activities in the courtyard and Chase Room. We will have a presence (probably with games) and Sustainable Jersey will also participate. Arbor Day: Steve will coordinate tree planting (probably at MRC) through Sustainable NJ. High School Day of Service: May 27. Steve has ideas for several projects but is open to other ideas. May Day, May 7 National Trails Day: Date? Bottle Hill Day OTHER GOALS FOR 2016: Improve outreach to public, use publicity to increase awareness of MEC and its purpose and achievements, get the word out through Patch, Eagle, school parents. Steve is preparing a press release for publication in the Eagle. He will submit it to commission members for review before February 11 submission deadline. MEC has lost three members over the past two years. That leaves vacancies which may need to be filled with 1 regular and two alternates. Steve will provide J. Habib the original Sustainable Jersey Schools Audit. The Masterplan for development of MRC is now under Parks and Recreation. There is a need for funding for a planned sledding hill and playground. The practicality of digital submission of building plans was discussed but may not be realistic. Steve plans to meet with Project Aware at HS during February. ADJOURNMENT: 9:07 Gertler/Whitcomb