Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes December 15, 2022 A meeting of the Madison Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson Claire Whitcomb at approximately 7:35pm. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act was read by Claire Whitcomb: 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. Present: Claire Whitcomb, Trina Malik, Ann Huber, Bridget Daley, Joan Maccari, Brian Monaghan, Rachel Ehrich as council liaison Absent: Ellen Kranefuss Guests: Corrine Bowen, Lisa Jordan, Suzanne Schreiber, Deanna Schmidt, Amanda Da Luz, Lara Schmidt, Kyle, Kathleen Caccavale, Brett Spafford, Craig Wilkie Reports from liaisons etc Shade Tree : Signage possible at Summerhill and Memorial Parks to educate the public when cut-down trees are left as part of the habitat. Leave the leaves: in Rose Garden spot - next year after the garden’s renovation. Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee is taking on new actions focused on diversity, inclusion and health. Community garden cannot accept compost from other sources because it becomes a commercial site and regulated differently. Proposed regulation would relax these restrictions. Composting: Madison residents can go get mulch from the Milton Avenue yard in Chatham in exchange for the borough opening up Java Compost’s hub (at the commuter lot behind police station) to residents of the Chathams. Free mulch can also be obtained from the Morris County Municipal Utilities authority on Hanover Ave. MRC: Stephan reported that the Water Ambassador will work with Girl Scouts scouts to plant shrubs in forested area of the MRC area and perhaps the meadow. Signage will be added tabout composting and leave the leaves. Friends of the Shade Tree will also help with education. Climate action: first draft of climate action report is in progress for review by Borough Council and MEC; it will be on the for public agenda in January. Site plans: Rachel shared that two engineering projects are going to bid in spring -- basketball/pickle courts and the Cook Ave parking lot. Town wants green team input before it goes out to bid. Solar canopy at MRC. Questions were raised about rain gutters and piping underground to rain gardens. How will we maintain this? Will run off need to be recalculated? Kathi checks to rain gardens that are functioning well. Larger garden 3, 5 Central Ave Issue with parking variance and stormwater. Blue roof discussion. New business: Ordinance for associate and student members Discussion of an ordinance that has been implemented in Morris Township created spots for the Mayor to appoint nonvoting Associate and Student members of the MEC. Vote was taken as to whether to pass the ordinance on to the council. It passed 6-0 with 1 abstention. Green Vision Forum: will not be undertaken this year Meeting adjourned at 9:15