Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes August 20, 2024 Chairperson Kathi Caccavale called the meeting to order at 1:32 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 Lisa Jordan, Resident/Regular Member Mary Ellen Hennessy-Jones, Resident/Regular Member Pam Hogan, Resident/Regular Member Peter Fried, Resident/Regular Member Loretta Davidson, Resident/Regular Member Absent: Bob Landrigan, Borough Council Liaison/Regular Member David Duran, School Board Liaison Deanna Schmidt, MEC Liaison, Resident/Regular Member Guest: Steve Tindall, Board of Education We discussed the July minutes. Council Report: ● The Council adopted by ordinance a redevelopment plan for Giralda One, which encourages green building approaches and preservation of 9 acres as trade-offs for density concessions. https://www.rosenet.org/DocumentCenter/View/18675 ● See additional notes related to Council in the report from the Climate Action Committee. Report from the Climate Action Committee: ● Annual climate report presentation to Council 8/12 (August 12, 2024, Climate Action Annual Report presentation to Council; Michael Pellessier did a nice PR follow-up highlighting the positives, see the press release here). ● Benchmarking tool demonstration to Council 8/12 (developed by HS graduate Sam Cohen who worked with Peter to develop; homeowner can enter their account # and compare their electric usage to other similar size houses.  ● Community Energy Implementation Grant Awards of $100K each to Madison towards heat pumps at Hartley-Dodge East Wing and building electrification at Heller Center (Masonic Lodge). 16 of 29 towns were approved for awards, with two towns receiving two grants: Madison and Orange township. ● CAC noted that Westfield received $250K towards a Chevy Blazer PPV (police patrol vehicle); Peter has been exploring with Chevy dealer and Chief Miscia ● Here’s the link to the electrification incentive presentation: https://www.rosenet.org/DocumentCenter/View/18728/electric-incentive-August-brief-v3- ?bidId= Update from Schools: ● An ad hoc solar committee is coming together to connect Madison public schools with Florham Park, which has installed solar on multiple schools. Update from the Shade Tree Management Board: ● After the 8/6 storm, committee members completed a windshield survey (drive slowly documenting all tree issues) of Madison's 4 quadrants and identified all street trees that were removed and hanging branches needing pruning due to the storm ● Reviewed and approved planting plans for the following projects: Rotary 100 Tree Plantings (MRC), Niles Park GCM (Garden Club of Madison) update and the library rain garden ● Planning an October Tree-ID Walk in the MRCC forested area Report from the Madison Environmental Commission 2024 eco-garden tour thenatureofreading.com ● Above is the Eco Garden Tour link for tickets, which will fund a Nature Lover’s Speaker Series. Interestingly the town will have ticket taking software later this fall and it’s possible to raise $. Hailey Brock at the Nature of Reading will transfer the ticket proceeds to the Borough and we’ll draw on them for the speaker series. (the event is 9/21 12-4) ● Volunteer to help out at the tour and get free tickets: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080549AEAD2BA1FD0-16633265-ecogarden#/ ● Bridget provided background for this Thomas Moran op ed on leaf blowing—the phrase “lawns as area carpets” is one of her signature expressions. https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/08/in-the-war-against-leaf-blowers-hope-at-last- moran.html Update on Sustainable Jersey Green Infrastructure Grant - Pam ● Construction on the rain garden will be 10/9-10/11, Wednesday-Friday, in coordination with Ken O’Brien from DPW. ● Signage and ceremony for the new rain garden is planned for November. Kathi suggested a QR code be placed on the sign for the rain garden, connecting people to the rain garden page on Rosenet. ● Rain garden maintenance will need to be organized. Future Madison Green & Clean events may include stewardship of the rain garden. ● The Rutgers page for the Madison Rain Garden project and Green Infrastructure Planning documents is available on their website. Chair’s Report: ● The final submission deadline for 2024 has passed. Madison has been approved for 960 points so far: A record for us! ● 35 actions are set to expire at the end of 2024. ● Terms for Kathi, Deanna, and Pam are set to expire at the end of 2024; volunteers should consider if they want to continue. ● Bottle Hill Day planning: two tables on Waverly Place; kiosk with benchmarking energy software; high school students will be recruited to assist – send additional ideas to Kathi and Peter Updates on North Jersey Green - Peter Articles for the North Jersey Green column are requested on an ongoing basis. The next SMAC meeting will be on September 17 at 1:30 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Jordan.