Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 20, 2020 Due to the coronavirus outbreak, this meeting is being conducted on Zoom. Chairperson Kathleen Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:35 P.M. STATEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT: “In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting of the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee (SMAC) Meeting was provided by transmitting a copy of the meeting notice to the Madison Eagle and Morris County Daily Record, posting a copy on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, and filing a copy in the office of the Clerk. This notice was made available to members of the general public.” The following members acknowledged their presence: Kathleen Caccavale, Chairperson/Regular Member Peter Fried, Resident/Regular Member Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Gene Cracovia, Resident/Regular Member Stephen Tindall, School Board Representative/Regular Member Angelique Devost, Resident/Regular Member Maureen Byrne, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Joan Maccari, MEC Representative/Regular Member Absent members: Marilyn Musielski, Resident/Regular Member Guest: Claire Whitcomb, Chair Madison Environmental Commission (MEC) September minutes were unanimously approved. Minutes will be submitted to Rosenet. Stephen Tindall provided an update on Madison Public Schools. As priorities are considered, the most likely upgrades to schools will involve air purification and lighting, such as substituting LED bulbs for fluorescent bulbs. Asbestos removal presents a costly intervention necessary for most school upgrades. A suggestion that Madison public utilities consider offering rebates for energy efficient upgrades (e.g. switch to LED lighting for the schools) was discussed. The rebates could follow the example of BPU. The schools are not eligible for many of the BPU Clean Energy programs because the town has its own electric utility. Claire Whitcomb provided an update on the Madison Environmental Commission initiatives. Volunteer Drew interns and civic engagement volunteers, possible projects, and coordinating/communicating information about projects important to the green teams was discussed. Kathi shared an idea to organize adopt-a-trail crews in Madison. Kathi shared Sustainable Jersey results from the last review round: 730 action points have been approved so far. This is an increase over the 665 points approved in 2019 for the Borough of Madison. Actions planned for the November 22 (final 2020) submission to Sustainable Jersey were reviewed. Committee members discussed and generally agreed that SMAC should apply to Sustainable Jersey for recertification again next year. Members observed that resubmitting annually helps to keep the information up to date and may save time spent in needing to relearn action requirements when waiting the allowable three years between certifications. There will be a green check-in tomorrow, October 21, with the mayor. Kathi invited comments as she works to provide feedback on the Master Plan draft: Comments needed on mobility and historic preservation portion are needed this week and comments on Land-Use Elements are needed next week. Peter provided an update on climate action planning. Volunteers can sign up for working groups on specific topics, involving Chatham, Madison and other places. Sign-up is available on this spreadsheet.) Lisa shared an update on Madison’s affordable housing plans (p. 35). Peter shared information about the e-vehicle showcase at the Sunday Motor Co. coffeeshop, happening on Thursday, November 5th. The next SMAC meeting will be on November 17 at 1:30 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:47 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan.