Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 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 Angelique Devost, Resident/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Grace Kim, Board of Education Liaison/Regular Member Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Pam Hogan, Resident/Regular Member Deanna Schmidt, MEC Liaison, Resident/Regular Member Absent: Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member July minutes were approved. Review of Open Action Items Action Item: Grace will continue to work with the School Administration regarding climate curriculum. Action Item: Peter Fried needs North Jersey Green volunteer writers. Candidate ideas: • Grace and Pam will discuss with Claire the idea of a student intern to help with the House and Garden Tour and also write an article about it for the paper. • Article about EV Police Cars • Article about the Tree Equity Score, Tree Canopy and the need for every town to have a tree ordinance with enforcement Action Item: Grace will ask Pam Yousey to schedule a meeting with Peter and Rachel regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy at the schools. Schools Report - Grace Kim • Grace discussed efforts to get more kids to walk, bike and bus to school rather than taking a car or being driven. • She also discussed working with the administration to better define a climate curriculum. (Peter provided a link to a climate teacher in the Chatham School system.) • The group discussed the governor’s initiative and incentives for electric school busses. Report from Council - Rachel Ehrlich • Rachel summarized Jim Burnet’s 8/14/23 presentation to council about Time-of-Use electric rates and the voluntary pilot program Madison is starting. • Rachel also summarized Madison’s decision to buy a new hybrid police supervisor’s car, a new internal combustion Police patrol car, and an electric zero-turn mower. Climate Action Report - Rachel Ehrlich • Rachel summarized a report to be made to council with 5 new recommendations from the Climate Team Report from MEC - Kathleen Caccavale for Claire Whitcomb • Claire is asking for more environmentally sensitive volunteers for the planning board. Report from Shade Tree - Kathleen Caccavale • Kathi summarized a recent report on Madison’s “Tree Equity Score”, and the possible use for that as a tool to determine where we need to plant more trees. The report can be found at: https://www.treeequityscore.org/methodology • There was extensive discussion about our tree ordinance, tree-cutting permits, what actions to take and penalties to call for when trees are cut down without permits. The state now requires every town to have a tree ordinance. SJ/PSEG GI Grant Report – Pam Hogan - 2 site walks took place with the Rutgers team on 7/26 (attended by Borough staff members Bob Vogel and Ken O'Brien) and 8/9. All members of the Project team and SMAC were invited to attend and notified of progress. Review of Sustainable Jersey Action Status: See attached status sheets. As in 2023, the first deadline for submission of SJ actions in 2024 will be in February; therefore attention needs to be paid early. Review of Bottle Hill Day Plans - Peter Fried. We discussed plans that include: • Two EVs: Sara Fischer’s F-150 and a Borough Bolt • Daddy Matty’s chef preparing chili on an induction cooktop powered by the F-150 • Participation by Ciel Power • Participation by NJ DEP’s Clean Energy Program The next SMAC meeting will be on September 19 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Peter Fried. Sustainable Jersey Actions – Status/Expiration Dates Must Revise Currently none Expired 12/31/2021 Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach - possible? Check with Kirsten Wallenstein Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach – per above Natural Resources Inventory – targeting 2024 Easement Inventory and Outreach – Lisa/co-lead (previous lead still lives in Madison) Easement Inspections and Evaluations – Lisa/co-lead New Actions Planned for 2024 Green Building Policy/Resolution – Rachel Ehrlich Municipal Onsite Solar System - Peter Make Your Town Solar Friendly - Peter Solar Outreach - Peter Green Cleaning Products & Motorized Cleaning Equipment – Mary Ellen/Kathi Local Health Assessment and Action Plan – Kathi/Joe (BOH) Rollover Actions Municipal Water Story (CAC 2023 Recommendation) – consultant? 2025? Complete & Green Streets for All Policy - Kathi Water Conservation Ordinance – Deanna Schmidt/Kathi/Rachel/Claire Enhanced Stormwater Management Control Ordinance – Kathi (new Inland Flood Hazard rules require revised ordinance within one year of 7/17/23) Expires 12/31/2023 Create Green Team – Kathi? Energy Tracking and Management – Peter Fleet Inventory- Peter Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles – Peter Community Gardens – Pete Making Farmers Markets Accessible – Mary Ellen Innovative Community Project 1 (Hidden Figures) – need new project Innovative Community Project 3 (FODF) – need new project Bicycle and Pedestrian Audits Environmental Commission – Deanna Environmental Commission Site Plan Review - Deanna Community Forestry Management Plan and NJUCF Accreditation – Judy Honohan Tree Planting Programs – Judy Honohan Green Maintenance Equipment and Materials – Mary Ellen/Kathi Recycled Materials and Composting - Angelique Municipal Communications Strategy – Michael P. Improve Public Engagement in Municipal Government – Michael P. Improve Public Engagement in Planning and Zoning – Michael P Online Municipal Public Service Systems – Michael P Digitizing Public Information – Michael P Food Waste - Angelique Expires 12/31/2024 Establish a Creative Team Creative Assets Inventory Utilizing Your Creative Assets Green Fair Electric Vehicle Community Outreach Heat Island Assessment (& Mitigation Plan) Emergency Communication Planning Vulnerable Populations Identification for Emergencies Buy Fresh/Buy Local Farmers Market Green Building Education Create a Green Development Checklist Upgrade/Retrofit-Light Pollution Anti-Idling Education & Enforcement Building Healthier Communities Innovative 2 – Climate Action Template Sustainable Land Use Pledge Bicycle and/or Pedestrian Improvement Projects Tree Hazard Inventory Green Grounds & Maintenance Policy Adopt a Green Purchasing Policy by Resolution (retired action) Buy Local Campaign Support Local Businesses Tree Maintenance Programs Prescription Drug Safety & Dispoal Recycling and Waste Reduction & Compliance Community Paper Shredding Day Recycling Depot Backyard Composting Grass – Cut It and Leave It Program Materials Reuse Program Expires 12/31/2025 Municipal Commitments to Support Arts and Creative Culture Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities [action updated in 2022] Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Community Carbon Footprint (retired action) Extreme Temperature Event Plan Safe Routes to Schools Tobacco Free Community Green Business Recognition Program Recycled Copy Paper Expires 12/31/2026 Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly Green Infrastructure Planning Best Practices for Local Boards of Health Healthy Homes Inspection & Training Climate Action Plan Community Asset Mapping Expires 12/31/2027 Green Infrastructure Implementation Effective Parking Management Municipal Carbon Footprint Expires 12/31/2029 Open Space Plans Expires 12/31/30 Historic Preservation Element (retired action) Transit-Oriented Development Supportive Zoning Does Not Expire Environmental Assessment Ordinance Tree Protection Ordinance Possible Future Actions Green Building Training New Construction (Municipalities that achieve a recognized green building standard when constructing new municipal buildings and facilities can earn 20 points toward Sustainable Jersey certification. – Will our AH qualify?) Integrating Health into Municipal Decision Making Bicycle and or Pedestrian Plan – updated plan (must be within 10 yrs; adopted plan 2005) Energy Assistance Outreach (action currently suspended by SJ) Community Design for All Ages Green Challenges (would be great to develop for Bottle Hill Day, Green Fair, or thru-school campaign) Diversity on Board and Commissions Buy Electricity from a Renewable Source Other Actions Marked as Planned Diversity on Boards & Commissions Lead Education and Outreach Programs Upgrade/Retrofit-Water Conservation Integrating Health into Local Decision Making Actions Submitted in 2023 and Under Review (update: actions were subsequently approved) Community Education & Outreach Community Equity and Diversity Profile Environmental Justice in Planning & Zoning Water Conservation Education Program Non-Mandated Materials Recycling