Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 20, 2022 Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:04 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) 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 Joan Maccari, Resident/Regular Member Marilyn Musielski, Resident/Regular Member Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Absent: Angelique Devost, Resident/Regular Member Sarah Fischer, Board of Education liaison Guest: Deanna Schmidt, Madison Resident November minutes were approved. Peter reported that concerns that battery storage could be accommodated at the solar carports in the future had been relayed to the solar consultant. Mary Ellen reported that new water-pressure sensors had been received by the water utility. These will be used to monitor the pressure in an effort to mitigate water-main breaks. Kathi offered appreciation to Joan Maccari and Marilyn Musielski who are retiring from their SMAC positions. Rachel shared information about several construction projects planned for 2023, including the Cook Avenue Parking Lot and the pickleball courts at the MRC. She reported that the Rosedale skating rink was being filled with rainwater (to be supplemented by drinking water if necessary), but that there appear to be fewer days each year in which the rink is frozen. She reported that in the future the traffic light at the intersection of Main and Central will have a phase in which all traffic is stopped for pedestrians. Plans for the Waverly re-design were discussed (unlikely to be built in 2023). Capt. Longo of the police force has proposed a plan to modify those intersections that are judged to be the most dangerous in Madison. Peter and Lisa briefed the Committee on a meeting they had with a representative of Bloc Power. Bloc Power described the program they coordinate in Ithaca, NY, to rapidly electrify all the town’s buildings. The program depends on a large (~ $100M) private equity investment, largely to buy advanced technology heating equipment that is then installed and leased to building owners at favorable rates. Kathi discussed a webinar she attended on the SJ-Montclair state program to supply student interns to help with specific SJ actions. Kathi asked team members about the meeting dates and times for next year and it was agreed to keep the same schedule (1:00 pm on the third Tuesday of each month). The team discussed ideas for grants for next year: https://www.sustainablejersey.com/grants/ Peter was tasked with asking Jim Burnet for ideas. One suggestion Jim made shortly after the meeting was a grant for a study to investigate whether the grid could support an array of EV chargers at the post office annex, as the USPS plans for electric vehicles. We reviewed those Sustainable Jersey actions that are being modified, added or deleted in 2023. See attached lists from SJ. Volunteers are always welcome to pursue actions of their interest. Kathi reported on the Advancing Climate Change Solutions in New Jersey - a conference at Rutgers (this December). There was significant attention to social justice. Kathi also attended a food security webinar, where she learned that Westfield worked with the Rahway sewerage authority to utilize food scraps in its anerobic digester. Unfortunately, this would not work at the Madison/Chatham Joint Sewage Authority (capacity, grease, and permitting). New legislation may be able to help with increasing the capacity to compost both commercially and in community gardens. In-vessel compositing might be an option to integrate within schools moving forward. Kathi received an email from Sustainable Princeton, looking for ways to promote engagement. She shared her suggestions in a phone conversation. We discussed ways to coordinate with the Board of Health to accomplish health actions. 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. Jersey Green column volunteers needed for the coming year. Action Item: Mary Ellen will review presentations on the water-main breaks to better understand the use of the new sensors and then ask Bob Vogel for more information. Action Item: Lisa will follow up and report on Drew student plans for a Green Fair in the spring. The next SMAC meeting will be on January 17 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:27 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Peter Fried and Lisa Jordan. SJ Action Changes