Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 15, 2022 Due to the coronavirus outbreak, this meeting is being conducted on Zoom. Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:01 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 Angelique Devost, Resident/Regular Member Joan Maccari, Resident/Regular Member Judy Honohan, Shade Tree Commission Representative/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Special Guests: Allen Swanson, Sierra Club, Chair of Loantaka Group (most of Morris County, Union County, and portions of Somerset and Essex Counties) Andrew Saylan, Drew University student Samantha Bunsa, director of Health Education for Madison Borough (shared services contract with Bloomfield Twp) Sarah Perramant, Assistant Health Officer (shared services contract with Bloomfield Twp) Elisabeth Sauerman, Drew University student Absent: Marilyn Musielski, Resident/Regular Member The special guests introduced themselves. Kathleen introduced the work for the Health Assessment worksheet. The local health assessment and action plan for Sustainable Jersey requires a Health Assessment worksheet. The worksheet has clear guidance on data sources and locations. Andrew will be working on this worksheet as part of his course requirement. Allen Swanson expressed interest in promoting climate resolutions in the area and the state. Peter and Allen agreed to connect on a number of topics, including the multitown collaboration. The January minutes were approved. Rachel provided an update on the climate action ad hoc committee, which is a pilot program, to test out the premise of the climate action resolution in Madison. The appointed committee members are SMAC: Kathleen Caccavale, Peter Fried, Lisa Jordan; MEC: Claire Whitcomb, Kirsten Wallenstein, Trina Malik (ex officio); Council liason: Rachel Ehrlich; Borough staff: Jim Burnet (CFO); Bob Duffy (Public Works), Jim Trimble (Electric Utility), Capt. Joe Long (Police Dept.) Peter updated the committee on grant applications that are under consideration, including funds for electric buses, community energy planning grant opportunity for funding climate planning in the Borough, and an application for solar planning, related to the SolSmart program. One of our first priorities is to update the town metrics on electric and natural gas use. Another EV expo is being planned. A native plant sale sponsored by the MEC is coming up soon. The Madison Green Vision Forum is scheduled for March 31, 7pm on zoom. Work on the Cook Street shopping parking is including green infrastructure features. A student from Montclair State University PSEG Sustainable Studies program will be contributing to the Madison Water Story. Kathi will be providing guidance. Kathi made a presentation about Complete Streets to the Madison Transportation Committee. Friends of the Drew Forest table at the Convent Station Winter Market, volunteers are needed. Kathi can send dates and signup information. Madison now accepts clean, dry extended (not extruded) styrofoam at the recycling depot. For the next meeting, members please be prepared to report on progress on your actions. The Sustainable Jersey Sustainability Summit will be held in-person this year in June. Rolling action items are as follows: Action Item: Peter Fried would like information on upcoming events in order to share information to the Madison Eagle. The next SMAC meeting will be on March 15 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan