Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 21, 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 Deanna Schmidt, MEC Liaison, Resident/Regular Member Rachel Ehrlich, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member Guests: Susan Perez Assata Mutakabbir Melinna Sanchez September minutes were approved. Report from Council - Rachel Ehrlich ● Rachel reported on the municipal solar presentation given to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. ● The new pickleball courts now have lighting installed. ● At the last council meeting, the council unanimously supported reinstating the corporate business tax. This state tax was set to expire, and the funds go toward conservation. Report from the Climate Action Meeting - Rachel Ehrlich ● Preparation of the community energy plan report is underway. ● Recruitment of future participants and committee organization for 2024 is being discussed. ● A presentation is being prepared for the Utilities Committee. Report from Shade Tree Commission ● 32 new trees were planted on Main Street to replace the pear trees. ● DPW has committed to planting more street trees, please contact their offices for new tree planting locations. Report from SMAC Chair - Kathleen Caccavale ● Madison totalled 915 points for Sustainable Jersey, receiving an award for the highest- scoring mid-sized town, second highest point total in the state. The award was received at the Sustainable Jersey luncheon this November. ● We discussed signing onto a letter from Advocates for Transforming Landscaping in New Jersey to state Senator Smith in support of his bill S437, seeking reduction of the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and other lawn maintenance equipment. We agreed to sign in support. Update on Grants - Pam ● We are on target for the Green Infrastructure Plan. A rain garden at the library is one possibility. ● Sign up for the first two courses in the Rutgers Program in order to participate in subsequent Green Infrastructure decision-making. Other Business ● 2024 new submissions for innovative actions may involve: Rosenet’s Clean Energy Hub, or Energy Planning Outreach from Bottlehill Day. The first submission date in 2024 is in February. ● We discussed actions that need leads for 2024. ● Kathi proposed that we aim to apply for a Complete Streets Assistance Grant. The next complete streets meeting is December 13. ● Upcoming Sustainable Jersey seminars include: ○ Complete Streets Technical Assistance webinar: Dec. 5. ○ Sustainable Jersey webinar on the 2024 cycle (webinars are recorded): Dec. 13. ○ Enhanced stormwater ordinance webinar in February. ● Peter attended an Active Transportation session and recommended reviewing the materials, once the slides and presentations are posted. ● We also discussed the advantages of continuing the EV expo. ● More recruitment and support of Green Businesses in our community is needed. Updates on North Jersey Green - Peter Kirsten Wallenstein wrote an article on climate communications that will appear in the Madison Eagle in the next two weeks. Bridget Daley will be submitting an article on anti-idling campaigns. Another article on gas-powered leaf blowers will be submitted. The next SMAC meeting will be on December 19 at 1:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:16 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan.