Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:03 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 Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Angelique Devost, Resident/Regular Member Pamela Hogan, Resident/Regular Member Guests: Elisabeth Sauerman, Drew University student Absent: Deanna Schmidt, Resident/Regular Member December minutes were approved. New members were introduced. Pam Hogan joins us with experience in volunteering with the Friends of the Madison Public Library, the Madison Library Board of Trustees, the Madison Board of Health. Mary Ellen reported on new water sensors in Madison that provide information about water main breaks. The sensors cannot forecast breaks, but they can observe water pressure as a potential contributor to breaks. 0.5-1 mi/hour is the speed of water flows that can be handled by the sewage system. Our water system was installed when the downtown was mostly retail; restaurants are new, and contributing grease into the system. Freezing and warming of the ground can cause shifts that break pipes. Elisabeth reported on Drew University plans for a green fair, which are still in development. Rachel reported on bump out installations planned for Green Ave. SMAC and other committees were being invited to comment on the multiuse courts planned for the MRC. Plans for the Dodge Field play area renovation are being updated. Waverly Place visioning plans are underway and anticipated this month. Curbside Christmas tree pickup is continuing. Trees are chipped and used locally. We discussed location preferences for the fast EV charging station, balancing borough needs and public use. Kathi reported on our connection with the Montclair State Green Team program. Angelique has applied for a student to work with her on the green business recognition program this spring. PSEG Grants - 10K or 20K grant and/or 2K grant. Kathi suggested funding a Summerhill Park tree inventory, which would help Madison become eligible for a RGGI foresting/reforestation grant. Another idea includes funding for a Green Infrastructure Assessment to be completed by Chris Obropta (10-20K). Jim Burnet and the mayor have discussed the potential for the Madison post office to purchase EVs. Extending the electric grid study further can support this effort. Kathi shared that the post office is leased, and someone else owns the property. It would be possible to support funding a follow-up grid study without a focus on the post office. We decided that Peter and Pam would speak with Jim Burnet to learn more about which grant the town would prefer for the 10-20K level. We reviewed actions on the 2023 Sustainable Jersey Master Action Tracking Sheet. EV Expo - April 19th, Wednesday afternoon, Sunday Motorway Cafe. Tonight: Solar Carport will go in front of the planning board, 7:30pm. Remember: one more meeting before our first certification deadline. 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 are needed on an ongoing basis. The next SMAC meeting will be on February 21 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:28 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan.