Environmental Commission

Madison Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes January 26, 2023 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, Bridget Daley, Joan Maccari, Corinne Bowen, Deanna Schmidt, Kirsten Wallenstein, Rachel Ehrich as council liaison Absent: Brian Monaghan, Ann Huber Guests: Kate Duignan, Lisa Jordan, Meredith Jones, Cassaundra Sledge, Kirsten Wallenstein New and continuing business • Seed Swap, Feb 18, United Methodist Church, 1-3pm will Encourage people to grow more natives in their gardens. It will include seed sowing/collecting demonstrations. • April 20 Energy Fair at Madison Community Arts Center, 7pm: Kirsten Wallenstein is organizing this event, the day after the EV Expo, 4.19, 2-6pm. • Ideas for participants include Tyler Merson (indoor air quality) and Ciel Power (IRA rebates). Topics could include how to read your utility bill, demo of induction hot plates, individual stories of energy efficiency upgrades. Battery recycling is being researched. Deanna and Kate volunteered to be in a sub-committee. • May Day revamp: DDC is reexamining the mission and format of May Day. Bridget reported that ideas are in the works to make it more ecologically friendly. MEC ideas: • native plant/seed sale • Educational weeding event at BOE native plant site • Taste of Madison, April 24: Town has a large supply of single use plastic serving ware and need to run through that. Is composting food waste an option • Future events: Claire reached out to Grace Church to possibly establish a Repair Cafe like Summit has. She has talked to Morris Twp about a DIY compost bin project but no plans have been made. Additional Discussion: • Summit created a “Tiny forest,” where can we install one in Madison? • Cook Ave project—plans include green infrastructure, rain gardens, bike parking, EV spots • Board of Health. Cassaundra filled the MEC in on current priorities, which include health education and bamboo.  • Drew University: Lisa reported on Drew U’s Fern Fest (April 22), which will decrease lawn and increase ferns. There is also a climate teach-in on March 29 and climate march on March 3. Minutes unanimously approved from November and December. Meeting adjourned at 9:15