Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:06 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 Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Pam Hogan, Resident/Regular Member Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Grace Kim, Board of Education Liaison/Regular Member Absent: Deanna Schmidt, MEC Liaison, Resident/Regular Member August minutes were approved. Report from Council - Rachel Ehrlich ● MRC pickleball/basketballl courts are almost complete. ● The Green Ave. pedestrian crosswalk project was completed last month. ● Utility building roof repairs are planned. ● The roads department worked on the Rain Garden in the MRC. ● The parks department installed wood mulch at the dog park. ● There was an ordinance introduced to change the speed limit on Kings Road. That vote will be on Wed. Sep. 27. Schools Report - Grace Kim ● A Madison student (Mikie) visited the Eco-house tour and wrote an article about it for North Jersey Green ● Peter shared that the plans for the school roof modifications are under discussion, with current assurances that the roof design will be solar ready.  ● Peter brought up our role to support bus replacement with electric buses - we can help provide documentation to demonstrate cost savings of electric buses. Action Item: Follow up on bus ownership for Madison Public Schools, and opportunities that may be available to replace diesel buses with electric ones. Action Item: Grace will continue to work with the School Administration regarding climate curriculum. Report from Shade Tree Commission ● Madison Rotary will be implementing one half of their 100 tree planting program the week of November 13th. The NJ Tree Foundation will be planting a total of 52 trees at 3 sites: the library, Lucy D. Park and the Madsion Ave. Water Tower ● The Main St. pear tree replacement program will continue in October with the removal and planting of 32 trees. Replacements will include elm, london plane, honey locust, maple and sweet gum. ● MRC: -Due to recent trees falling on the deer fencing, there are a number of openings for the deer to enter. Meeting with Ken O'Brien to determine the repair plans. -People are parking all around the trees at the weekend sporting events. Madison Rec and the police have been notified to take corrective action. Report from MEC - Kathleen Caccavale for Claire Whitcomb ● MEC had a successful native plant sale with Toadshade Wildflower Farm. Brian Monaghan was in great demand for organic lawn care. The weather caused cancellations for other vendors—Green House Solar, Java’s Compost, Nature of Reading. ● Pam reported that the house tour was very successful. She was a greeter all day, and people enjoyed it.. Six of the 9 houses were eco (solar, geothermal, heat pumps, native plants). The library drew a new audience, which made the project very exciting. ● Town-Wide Yard Sale is Sept. 30. Claire’s tables to benefit Friends of the Drew Forest. Contributions welcome. ● MEC native plant giveaway on Oct 5 at the farmer’s market, followed by a seed giveaway at BHD. Apiary sell honey to raise $ for pollinator seeds at the meadow. ● Early October newsletter will focus on green happenings at BHD ● Kirsten is planning PR about Ciel Power and the home energy audit program. ● Regarding the Drew postcard—the town is developing talking points. The postcard was in the mail while the President met with Glendwild residents and, separately, with Friends of the Drew Forest, so listening, if it occurred, has not had a visible outcome. Report from SMAC Chair - Kathleen Caccavale ● We have a total of 915 points from Sustainable Jersey: 80 actions, in 16 of 18 categories. ● The Safe Routes to School Grant is due in December. Update on Grants - Pam  ● Angelique helped with the Green Infrastructure poster, which will be displayed at Bottle Hill Day. This is a deliverable for the Green Infrastructure grant. ● Follow up with Rutgers will be shared in the future. Updates on Grid Study - Peter ● A plan to identify houses associated with specific transformers as a sample study is underway. ● Follow up with the community climate action plan was discussed. Other Business: ● Committee members checked in - Peter, Deanna, and Mary Ellen agreed to serve again as volunteers with Sustainable Madison. Peter observed that buildings and community outreach are a priority interest for him. Angelique expressed enthusiasm for the launch of the green business program. Lisa intends to complete the ERI work for 2024. Rachel’s work as liaison will come to a close this year. ● Tanya van Order agreed to a solar/energy efficiency presentation for the Madison Housing Authority, to learn about green checklists to look for in contracting. The meeting will be in early October. ● In November, the mayor is sponsoring a panel at the League of Municipalities on climate action. (Update: panels were on solar carports and EV charging). ● An innovative approach to anti-idling is being considered: Clean Air Commendaton “ticket” offering Coffee and a bagel to recognize people who follow anti-idling rules. Peter noted that asphalt trucks were an example of problematic idling when resurfacing roads. Action Item: Peter Fried needs North Jersey Green volunteer writers. Review of Bottle Hill Day Plans - Peter Fried. ● We discussed sign-ups for attending and tabling. The next SMAC meeting will be on October 17 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:18 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan. Sustainable Jersey Actions – Status/Expiration Dates Expired 12/31/2021 Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach - possible? Check with Kirsten Wallenstein; action has not yet been updated by Sustainable Jersey (Tracey Woods) Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach – per above Natural Resources Inventory – targeting 2024 Easement Inventory and Outreach – Lisa/co-lead (Harriet Honingfeld, previous lead still lives in Madison and is willing to help) 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) - due to changes happening in HealthDept., this may be pushed off until a future year Rollover Actions Municipal Water Story (CAC 2023 Recommendation) – consultant? 2025? Complete & Green Streets for All Policy - Kathi - consider Complete Streets Tech Assistance Grant; need Vogel buy-in 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) - reached out to Codey/Vogel re meeting with Watershed Institute; Vogel says Harrington has it well in hand and enhancements were already incorporated in the previous update (but add’l enhancements suggested by Zoning Board and discussed in meetings have not yet been agreed to or incorporated) Expires 12/31/2023 Create Green Team – Kathi Energy Tracking and Management – Peter Fleet Inventory- Peter Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles – Peter Community Gardens – Peter 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 – Lisa Jordan 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 Community Education & Outreach 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 Water Conservation Education Program 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 & Disposal Recycling and Waste Reduction & Compliance Community Paper Shredding Day Recycling Depot Non-Mandated Materials Recycling Backyard Composting Grass – Cut It and Leave It Program Materials Reuse Program Expires 12/31/2025 Municipal Commitments to Support Arts and Creative Culture Community Equity and Diversity Profile 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 Environmental Justice in Planning & Zoning 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 Must Revise Currently none