Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes August 24, 2017 1. Call to order by Chairperson Stephan Stocker at 7:35. 2. Announcement of meeting notice Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Read by Stephan Stocker, Chairperson. This meeting of the Madison Environmental Commission complies with the Open Public Meetings Act. (P.L. 1975 c. 231) Notice of this meeting was provided to the Madison Eagle, Daily Record, Star Ledger, and to tapintomadison.com. Copies of this notice are posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of Hartley Dodge Memorial and were made available to the general public. 3. Present: Stephan Stocker, Trina Malik, Ann Huber, Brian Monaghan 4. Absent: Carmela Vitale, Ellen Kranefuss, Claire Whitcomb, 5. Communications: None 6. Guests: Amy Terraccino of Sustainable Madison, Sandy Kolakowski 7. Continuing Business: Carmela Vitale sent in an email notice of an upcoming meeting about Summerhill Park’s restoration. Brian Monaghan added that an overall plan was being drawn up for the project and should be ready for the, to be announced, meeting. Stephan Stocker reported that the two summer interns working at the MRC restoration area have returned to school. During the summer, they planted 60 trees and 30 shrubs, cleared trails, and removed invasive species. They also worked the Farmers Market setting up and handing out informational pamphlets informing residents of MEC projects. Trina Malik reported the Green Forum was well attended and focused on three rotating breakout sessions; green yards, less trash, and lower energy footprint. Green yards explored cut and leave the grass, native species, pollinator plantings, and no pesticide usage. Less trash discussed composting, recycling, and reusing items. Reducing Borough energy footprint focused on conservation and smarter use of energy and solar arrays for the home and schools. Amy Terraccino of Sustainable Madison was recognized for her first educational article being published in the Madison Eagle. The article offered advice on how to recycle items not usually recycled by the Borough. Things like juice pouches, granola packaging, bottle caps. A company, TerraCycle, at the Madison YMCA, collects these items. Trina added that the Baptist Church at Green and Shunpike is also collecting items for TerraCycle. 8. New Business: Bottle Hill Day – October 7, 2017, 10am – 6pm. scheduling of coverage for the day of event. Topic of MEC table will show progress of Green Forum.