Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes Jan. 9, 2020 Call to order by Claire Whitcomb, Chair, at 7:30 1. Announcement of meeting notice 2. Present: Claire Whitcomb, Ellen Kranefuss, Joan Maccari, Renee Shalhoub, Stephan Stocker, Ann Huber Guests : Kirsten Wallenstein, Rebecca Bertrand 3. Absent: Trina Mallik, Brian Monaghan, Maureen Byrne, Council Liaison 4. minutes accepted 5. Continuing and new business: Draft of MEC statement on environmental issues at the MRC was reviewed, along with maps.  Stephan took us through the stormwater issues. The MRC drops in height 30 feet from the Ridgedale Avenue to the wetlands.  The existing trees hold back 150 to 175K gallons of water  3 existing rain gardens do not work as planned, despite multiple rebuilds. Soil sediments at in Madison harder to permeate, slowing percolation.  Replacement of trees, even if planted at a 3:1 ratio instead of a 5:1 ratio will not be possible—there is not enough room in town.  Builder’s remedy can create more issues by adding 80% more units.  Town plans on clearcutting both the north and south side for remediation of arsenic. Letter recommends not clearcutting the north side. It may have to arsenic hotspots. Adding a sidewalk will be fine b/c it serves as a cap for the contamination. Vote 5-0 to send the letter to the town. Streamlining and simplification was requested; Claire will edit accordingly. Green Vision Forum will be March 19. Co-chairs are Renee and Kirsten, location will be Rose Hall.  Outreach to St. Elizabeth’s, St. Vincent’s and FDU will happen this year. Rethink Plastics training will be held 2/8 by Wind of the Spirit, a two-hour bilingual training at the Presbyterian Church Reusable Bag is happening at Town Hall, Presbyterian Church, Grace Episcopal Curch and United Methodist Church to support Drew, Senoiors and WOTS Solar Ordinance was discussed; it was created by the Planning Board to be close to existing laws on other towns. Meeting adjourned at 9PM.