Politics & Government

Madison to Form 'Green Team'

Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee ordinance approved by a 5-1 vote.

The borough is seeking residents to be appointed to a committee that is expected to work on a wide range of initiatives addressing sustainability in Madison, from solar panels to educational programs to community events.

An ordinance that calls for the formation of the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee was approved 5-1 by the Borough Council during its meeting Monday at .

Councilman Rob Catalanello voted against the measure, saying the sustainable committee is a worthwhile initiative, but one that should have been instituted by a resolution to be revisited every year in case maintaining the committee becomes a burden for future councils.

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Betsy Uhlman, chair of the Madison Environmental Commission and an advocate for the creation of the committee, said creating the "green team" by ordinance shows a greater commitment to sustainability, which could help Madison receive more grant funding, one of the driving forces behind the creation of the committee, officials said.

She also said, unlike committees that are formed each year to organize events, the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee likely would be working on long-term projects.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Uhlman said the team was formed and is expected to operate under a model established by Sustainable Jersey, which describes itself as "a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term."

It says it focuses on the three P's: people, prosperity and planet.

According to the ordinance, the committee will consist of nine regular members and two non-voting members. All voting members must be borough residents and no members receive compensation. Members are appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

The team would include:

  • The Council Liaison to the Madison Environmental Commission (Regular Member)
  • The Assistant Borough Administrator (non-voting)
  • A representative from the office of the Superintendent of the Madison Public School System (Regular Member)
  • The Superintendent of Public Works (non-voting)
  • One member of the Madison Environmental Commission (Regular Member)
  • Six members who are residents of the Borough (Regular Members).

The committee has the right to appoint non-voting advisory members with special abilities and expertise.


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