Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 23, 2016 We called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM. Announced two communications from the Environmental Commission. The first communication was from Joseph Falco, from the jewelers on Main Street. He asked the Environmental Commission to consider using less rock salt during snow storms. However, as pointed out by Stephan, Madison has taken efforts by using 1/3 less salt prior to storms. Also, trucks now dump lumps of rock salt in the middle of the roads in a specific pattern and have cut their throw from 30 feet to 20 feet. Stephan Stocker will be responding to Joseph Falco with this information. The second communication is from the Madison Junior School. They are looking for volunteer judges from 7th grade science projects. The judges will use NJSS parameters to judge projects based on a problem, hypothesis and community fit. Stephan Stocker will send out information to anyone interested in volunteering. Present were Stephan Stocker, Gene Cracovia, Kathleen Caccavale and Amt Terracciano Absent were Pat Rowe, Jim Burnet, Wayne Desjadon, David Manes, Sandra Gaurin, Ellen Kranefuss, Heather Shepard, Marilyn Musielski, Harriet Honigfeld, and Steven Eget. Minutes from the January meeting were approved. The committee reviewed updates regarding Sustainable Jersey. Gene stated that he will be renewing 50 points, as opposed to the previously determined 60 points. Stephan has completed the Community Garden task and is working on other initiatives. Amy has nothing to upload as of yet and is working with students from St. Elizabeth’s to complete certain tasks. There were members of the public present. They included students and a professor from Drew University, a member from Great Swamp, and four residents from Madison who are interested in learning more about the committee. Stephan reviewed what the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee does, how it is part of Sustainable Jersey. A demo of the Sustainable Jersey sit was given and the committee’s goals to recertify to maintain silver status were discussed. New actions for the committee to complete from Sustainable Jersey were discussed. These included the Companion Animal Pledge. Kathleen said she would spearhead this action. It is 5 points. Another action dealt with prescription drug drop-offs. Madison currently has two drop offs, one at the Madison Pharmacy and the other at the Police Station. Kathleen will work with someone from the Police Station to write up a summary about this effort. The Smoke Free Public Places action was also discussed. Jim Burnet was deemed as a contact. Updating the Sustainable Madison website was mentioned to gain potential volunteers from the public members in attendance. After asking for volunteers, partnering with Drew University on future events was discussed. The committee has partnered with the University in the past, but currently, there are no plans in the future. This could be counted as an innovative action if a partnership did form. Then the 2016 Green Fair wasa discussed. Stephan Stocker took the lead on the Fair. The Fair is being brought to Madison by a co-sponsorship of the Environmental Commission, the Madison Public Library and the Community Garden. It is geared towards children and will be at the Madison Public Library in the Chase room from 1pm-3pm on April 16th. It will be interactive with 10-12 tables that focus on teaching children gardening techniques, solar power and energy. Two volunteers are needed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM.