Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 20, 2024 Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:35 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 Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Pam Hogan, Resident/Regular Member Loretta Davidson, Resident/Regular Member Absent: Deanna Schmidt, MEC Liaison, Resident/Regular Member Bob Landrigan, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member David Duran, School Board Liaison Guest: Catherine Maida, Drew student We approved the November and January minutes. Report from School Board Liaison - David Duran ● Initial work has focused on understanding the various programs, incentives, and opportunities available to the school district, such as solar, ESIP funding, EV busing grants, etc. The next steps involve reviewing these with the broader Board and Administration team for their consideration. This may take some time while we spin up referendum work for the summer and transition to a new superintendent, so please bear with us. Report from Student Internship Projects Initiative - Peter Fried ● Chris Monaco at the high school worked with Peter Fried to identify an internship opportunity for an MHS student. An area of interest involves researching electric school bus options. Peter is meeting with them on Feb. 21st. Avenues in Motion will also be  involved in mentoring this project. Kathi also recommended including a school travel plan (e.g. ways that students can travel to school), which can possibly assist with the Complete Streets and bicycle/pedestrian plan documentation. An anti-idling and emissions calculation study at the schools could be another project. Report from the Climate Action Meeting - Kathi Caccavale and Peter Fried ● We are finalizing our Community Energy Plan. Next, work will be focusing on applying for an implementation grant. The community energy plan is scheduled to be presented and proposed for adoption at the Feb. 26th Borough Council meeting. Report from the Madison Environmental Commission ● The MEC will review the community energy plan at the Thursday meeting this week. Bridget Daly has drafted a native plant ordinance. Report from Shade Tree Commission - Submitted by Gene Cracovia ● New MS4 permitting rules require a shade tree replacement-removal ordinance. The town already has one in place that is in many ways stronger/better than the model suggested by the state. Improvements that the committee wants to make to the existing ordinance are awaiting an appropriate time for Bob Landrigan to advance revisions to council. The Community Forestry Plan is ready to be submitted to Sustainable Jersey this month. Report from SMAC Chair - Kathleen Caccavale ● Our first deadline for Sustainable Jersey submissions for actions is Feb. 25th. The deadline after that is May 10th. Update on Grants - Submitted by Pam ● This past Saturday a Green Infrastructure presentation was held, with attendees from the Garden Club, Tuesday Morning Club, the Environmental Commission, Sustainable Madison, and members of the planning board and zoning board. ● Breakout sessions reviewed aerial maps and how to site green infrastructure, including pervious pavement, tree pits and tree plantings, rain gardens, and cisterns. ● Chris Obropta also presented last week on Monday to the Borough Council. ● An article about the session was published in the Madison Eagle last Monday and information for a follow-up article has been submitted. ● DPW will be training and more activities will be scheduled. Other Business ● Green and Clean day is coming up on April 27, which will be coordinated with the EV Expo, 9am-2pm. ● Action Item: (Pam, Peter) We learned that we have questions about the events that day, and will speak with Lisa Ellis. ● Action Item: (Peter, Mary Ellen) will speak with Jim Burnet about filing a tax return on behalf of the Borough of Madison in order to get Investment Tax Credit for qualifying purchases, such as the Chevy Bolts. Updates on North Jersey Green - Peter Articles for the North Jersey Green column are requested on an ongoing basis. Our Tracking Sheet for Sustainable Jersey Actions was reviewed. The next SMAC meeting will be on March 19 at 1:30 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan.